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Mel Kiper Jr. explains why Bryce Petty would make sense for the Bills

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his "Grade A Mock Draft" last week, in which he plays general manager for all 32 NFL teams and makes their picks through the first three rounds.

In doing so, Kiper selected Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty in the second round and Hobart offensive lineman Ali Marpet in the third round for the Buffalo Bills with picks No. 50 and No. 81, respectively.

Speaking on a conference call Tuesday afternoon, Kiper explained why Petty would help the Bills earn an A grade.

"I just felt like for Buffalo at that point" they would be "a second-round possibility for Petty. ... You don't know what you have with EJ Manuel," Kiper said. "You brought in a veteran" in Matt Cassel. "You got Tyrod Taylor as well, so I thought just bring in a guy like that."

So what happens if Petty's off the board when the Bills' turn comes up?

"They have needs other than quarterback," Kiper said. "If they feel they're ok with their quarterback situation, they can look for an offensive guard or inside 'backer. Not having a first-round pick, we'll have to wait until round two, which is where I think Petty could go. Now, could he be a third-round pick? Sure. But I think a quarterback at some point in time in the first four rounds would at least have to be a possibility for the Bills."

Jay Skurski– Jay Skurski was named one of the 10 best beat writers in the country in 2017 by the Associated Press Sports Editors for his coverage of the Bills. A Lewiston native and St. Francis High School graduate, he's got a passion for golf and strives to be a single-digit handicap.